Residents come out to support Flat Rock park

Informational sessions on the proposed municipal park at Highland Lake Golf Club on Wednesday afternoon drew about 28 Flat Rock residents, many of them representing homeowners associations.

By Beth BeasleyTimes-News correspondent

Informational sessions on the proposed municipal park at Highland Lake Golf Club on Wednesday afternoon drew about 28 Flat Rock residents, many of them representing homeowners associations.A PowerPoint demonstration and concept drawing detailing the planned park and its amenities were shared at the site's former golf shop.“What we have here is an honest representation based on what we know right now,” said retired planner and architect Doug Johnson of the concept drawing.Potential costs, including ongoing maintenance and funding, were detailed for guests. Around 60 residents were invited, including two representatives from each of the 23 homeowners associations in the village and the executive board of directors of the Flat Rock Historical Society.“I know they already like the park; everyone's in favor of it,” said Rob Wood of himself and his fellow homeowners in Chanteloupe Estates.“There are concerns about cost,” he continued, adding that certain costs would be expected. “I'd love to see this turned into a place to walk.”Opinion is favoring the current proposal for the park, with 90 percent of online survey participants backing the plan, said Exploratory Committee Chair Ginger Brown. The concept drawing and plan reflects public input so far, she added.The online survey, taken by 84 people, resulted in 54 percent being in favor of the park, 29 percent against it and 17 percent with no opinion.After receiving an invitation to the informational sessions, Wood polled fellow homeowners at Chanteloupe Estates for features they would like to see at the park. A playground and walking and exercise trails were on the top of the list. Highland Lake Village residents Loyd and Ken Kinnett also attended.“The whole concept is what people are wanting — open space and a place to walk,” said Loyd Kinnett, who is on the board of the homeowners association.“The idea is absolutely fabulous,” she added. “I like the idea of starting small to have some experience of having a park.”Getting an idea of how well utilized the Flat Rock's first public park will be and how many trails are needed will be helpful in future planning, she said, and she especially liked the planned loop trails.Those attending Wednesday's sessions were encouraged by committee members to share what they learned with neighbors, to support village officials in their decision and express support in a letter to the committee.Rebekah Robinson, administrative director with the Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy who attended Wednesday, is preparing an application for a $500,000 development grant from the N.C. Parks and Recreational Trust Fund for the proposed park.Robinson said CMLC has helped municipalities with about five grant applications for similar projects, for which the conservation organization will sometimes also assist in implementation.“The grant source loves to see a lot of public input,” she said. A possible option to restore certain areas of the acreage to a natural state could be a factor in the development grant, as the surrounding area is a “hotspot” for the endangered bunched arrowhead plant.Most likely, the former golf course had its first use as a cow pasture, Brown said of the 67 acres that is partially in a flood plain.